The researchers included 12 relative risk estimates in 10 eligible studies. Based on pooled analysis, the non-O blood group was associated with a statistically significant 14% increase in CAD incidence compared to O blood group (OR/HR, 1.14). No evidence of significant publication bias was seen. When 8 studies reporting data regarding (acute) myocardial infarction (MI) were pooled, similar statistically significant results unfavorable to the non-O blood group were seen (OR/HR, 1.16).

"In conclusion, we found that based on a meta-analysis of 10 studies enrolling a total of 174,945 participants, non-O blood group appears to be an independent risk factor for CAD and MI," the authors write.